Bernie Taupin, the lyricist for most of Elton John's biggest hits, stopped in at Coast Gallery in Laguna Beach on Saturday night for a show of his other talent: painting. The exhibit, titled "Beyond Words," was to continue Sunday with another scheduled appearance by Taupin from 1 to 3 p.m.

"I think anyone who knows anything about me, even on a surface level, knows that painting is a great love of mine," Taupin said in a recent Orange County Register interview. "It's certainly something I take very, very seriously."

Taupin, 62, works out of a large studio – accommodating the scale of his canvas works – near Los Olivos, on the Central Coast. He started painting seriously in the 1990s, he said, after his nomadic lifestyle as a songwriter for John and other musicians started to slow.

The lyricist of hits such as "Rocket Man," "Your Song," "Tiny Dancer," "Candle in the Wind" and "Crocodile Rock" said painting has become his main focus these days.

Though he claims no particular influences, he said his mother inspired him, showing him painters such as J.M.W. Turner and Paul Gauguin.

Coast Gallery is at 540 S. Coast Highway. For more information, call 949-376-4185 or visit coastgallery.com.

Bernie Taupin greets friends Sheri Thomas of Toluca Lake and Laguna Beach artist Cheryl Ekstrom on Saturday night at Coiast Gallery in Laguna. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Laguna Beach resident Michael Minutoli came dressed for the occasion of Bernie Taupin's gallery exhibit. The large oil painting behind him, "Electric Switch," is priced at $18,500. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Mission Viejo residents Lisa and Scott Snykers meet Bernie Taupin at Coast Gallery in Laguna Beach, thanking him for his work as a songwriter and painter. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
This mixed-media work by Bernie Taupin, called "Rise," is priced at $6,950. COURTESY OF BERNIE TAUPIN
Linda Scardina of San Clemente and Karen Guffy of San Diego visit Coast Gallery in Laguna Beach to see artworks by Bernie Taupin, Elton John's longtime songwriting partner. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Laguna Beach residents Peter and Sue Solomon turned out to see the artwork of Bernie Taupin at Coast Gallery on Saturday night. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
"Entre Vodoun," a mixed-media work on canvas by Bernie Taupin, sells for $23,950. COURTESY OF BERNIE TAUPIN
Bernie Taupin's oil-on-canvas work "Where We Go From Here" is priced at $19,950. COURTESY OF BERNIE TAUPIN
Jim Dovey and Robin McNair of Placentia came to see songwriter Bernie Taupin's art exhibit, "Beyond Words," at Coast Gallery in Laguna Beach on Saturday evening. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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